Seven Mountain West games to watch this season
By John Parker
Mar 8, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego State Aztecs guard Xavier Thames (2) during the second half against the New Mexico Lobos at Viejas Arena. The Aztecs won 51-48 to claim the regular season Mountain West championship. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Tuesday, November 18: Utah at San Diego State, 4 p.m. EST
The defending Mountain West regular season champion welcomes former conference rival Utah back to Viejas Arena in the conference’s first marquee non-conference game of the season. The Utes return four starters from a team that won 21 games and qualified for the NIT, including metric-junkie favorite Delon Wright. With so many players returning from a fairly successful team, Utah is a good bet to make the NCAA Tournament this season and a great litmus test for a San Diego State squad coming off of a 31-win season.
San Diego State returns most of its core from a team that gave top-seed Arizona a run for its money in last year’s Sweet Sixteen, but one of its few losses is offensive catalyst and Conference Player of the Year Xavier Thames. Thames was selected 59th overall and had his rights acquired by the New Jersey Nets. He’ll be spending this season in Spain.
The game can be seen on ESPN, and depending on how in-depth the coverage gets you might get to see the best student section in America: The Show.